Illuminated globe and mounting therefor



May 14, 1940.

0. A. COLBERG ILLUMINATED GLOBE AND MOUNTING THEREFOR Filed June 21,1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 M y 14, 1940- o. A. COLBERG 2.200.821

ILLUMINATED GLOBE AND MOUNTING THEREFOR Filed June 21, 1937 2Sheets-Sheet 2 026936 ('aZezzg' MM gwgbyg.

Patented May 14, 1940 PATENT OFFICE nmmms'ran owns. arm uorm'rm maanroaOh! A. Collies-I Ghicago, 111.,

assignor to lteplogle Globes. Inc. Chicago. Ill a omntion of ApplicationJune 21, 1937, Serial No. 149,814

18 Claims.

The present invention relates to illuminated globes and particularly tothe construction of geographical globes and mounting means there for.

In the construction of illuminated geographical globes there are anumber of factors that must be taken into consideration in order toprovide a globe that is substantial in structure, pleasing in appearanceand yeteconomical to build. The globe should be so constructed that thesupporting means therefor does not cast undesirable shadows upon thesurface of the globe and yet be sufficiently rigid that there is nodanger of the globe falling off its supporting means and breaking. Thisis particularly true with globes of relatively large diameter and madeof heavy material such as glass.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an internallyilluminated geographical globe and mounting means therefor soconstructed and arranged that substantially no shadows appear upon thesurface of the globe.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved mounting meansfor lntemally illuminated geographical globes.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedsupporting means for geographical globes made of glass blown into shapeof suitable configuration and adapted to be illuminated internally.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide aninternally illuminated geographical globe and mounting means thereforcomprising a support extending through the interior of the globe, soconstructed and arranged with re spect to the illuminating means thatsubstantially no shadows appear upon the surface of the globe.

Another and more specific object of the invention is to provide aninternally illuminated geographical globe and mounting means thereforincluding a unitary illuminating means supporting element adapted to besecured to the globe whereby the globe may be detachably mounted upon asupport comprising a globe encircling ring.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom the ensuing description in the course of which reference is had tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation on a reduced scale of a geographical globeconstructed in accordance withthe present invention:

Fig. 2 is a'vertical "section through the globe Fig. 3 is a fragmentarysection taken along the line 3-4 of Fig. 2 with the globe removed betterto show details of construction of the supporting means;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2,likewise with the globe re-. 5 moved, showing details of the upper endof the mounting means;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical section illustrating the details ofconstruction of a modified form of mounting means for the globe;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section taken through the upper end ofthe modified mounting means;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section through the globe and a further modifiedform of mounting means. adapted for use with a support comprising aglobe encircling ring;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical section taken along the line 8-8 ofFig. 7; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section taken along the line 99 of Fig. 7.

The geographical globe of the present invention comprises a supportingmeans It upon which is rotatably mounted a geographical globe I! made ofsuitable light-transmitting material such as, glass. In the preferredform of construction the globe is made of translucent glass, such aswhite opal glass, blown into shape in a metal mold.

The supporting means of the present invention in its preferred form, asillustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, comprises a hollow base l4 ofpleasing external appearance. Formed integrally with the base is a pairof opposed arms I6 and I8 forming with the basev a substantiallycrescent shaped figure. The base may be molded into the, shapeillustrated by any suitable molding process, and made of any suitablematerial. The slush mold process and a zinc base alloy have been foundto give excellent results.

An external circular-boss 2|! is formed'on the base for supporting theglobe I2 and an internal support 22. The boss is displacedslightly toone side of the vertical center so that the internal support and globeare tipped to an angle corresponding to the inclination of the polaraxis.

An annular shoulder 24 is formed by the boss and a circular recess 26located centrally thereof. A plurality of radial webs '28 extends fromthe shoulder toward an aperture located centrally of the boss andrecess. "The aperture is formed 50 by providing the mold with a cpreandisthreaded after removal of the coreto receive an fexternally threadednipple 3 2.

The internal support 22 is constructed *in a very economical mannerfr'oma pair of bent into identical shape and secured to the base and toeach other. The wires comprise top and bottom portions 38 and 38 bentsubstantially at right angles to the intermediate straight portions. Thetop portions are secured to each other by an apertured spacer 4.0 towhich they are spotwelded. The lower portions-are provided withsubstantially semicircular-bends 42 in planes at right angles to theintermediate and bent portions that are adapted to lie in the plane ofthe upper surface of the boss when secured thereto. The lower portionsare spot welded together with the semicircular bent portions. opposed toprovide a circular opening fitting around the nipple.

The supporting structureis secured to the'base by a lamp socket 44having an apertured extension 48 adapted to be threaded on the nipple.

In order that the globe may be illuminated and yet removed from thesupporting means thus far described there is provided an elongated bulb48. The bulb is relatively narrow and fits between the intermediateportions of the supports 34 so that it does not impede removal of theglobe.

The globe I2 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed large andsmall openings 60 and 52 located at the south and north polar regions,respectively.

- The opening 50 is made large enough conveniently to fit over thespaced apart wires 34 and closely around the boss 20 so that it may bereadily mounted upon the base and supported against lateral displacementby the vertical side walls of the boss. In order to provide the globewith additional strength and bearing surface the v opening 50 issurrounded by a relatively thick edge 50. The globe is mounted uponwashers i6 spacing the bottom of the thick edge 54 from the base l4.These washers are made of some suitable flexible material having arelatively low coeflicient of friction, such as leather, so that theglobe may be rotated both easily and noiselessly.

The upper portion of the globe is rotatable about a bushing 58 heldadjacent the spacer 88 by a screw bolt 60. The bushing has a diametersomewhat less than the opening 52 and sufllcient length to extendthrough the opening.

The globe is removably secured to the supporting means by a thumb nut62, a washer 84 and a concave time dial 86.

Energy is supplied to the light bulb 48 by a pair of conductors 88entering the base through a hole drilled therein under the control of asuitable switch 10 secured to the base ll. The

. conductors are conveniently and readily led to the socket 44 throughthe nipple 32.

The construction of the internal support of a pair of spaced apartmembers disposed between the source of light and the surface of theglobe has a tendency to produce a shadow on the latter. However, theformation of such a shadow is substantially eliminated by constructingthe globe from light diffusing material and making the major portion ofthe globes surface dark in color. Making the major portion of thesurface dark in color and the printing white considerably enhances theappearance of the globe when it is illuminated by making the coloring ofthe surface as a whole more uniform. I

In the present embodiment the globe is made, preferably but notnecessarily, from opal glass. The map of the earth is printed upon whitebond paper, suitably glued to the surface of the globe, with the landportions shown in the usual shades,

While the globe is preferably made of opal 'glass, clear glass may beused and it has been found that the white bond paper and printing thewater covered portions of the earth's surface with dark ink preventformation of shadows, and enhance the appearance of the globe when thelatter is illuminated.

In the construction of globes of the type described above considerabledifficulty has arisen from the fact that the larger of the two openingscannot be made with a constant diameter. This diiliculty is due to thefact that the amount of glass used in the globe forming process cannotbe determined with sufllcient accuracy. As a result the opening in theglobe is quite often too small to fit over the internal support and theinner wall of the edge of the globe does not ride properly against. thevertical side wall of the boss 20.

Another important feature of the present invention resides in slightlymodifying the supporting means so that the globe is supported and guidedby supporting means engaging the outer surface thereof whereby theaforesaid difllculties may be overcome. This modification of the presentinvention is illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6.

From these figures it may be seen that the base It is provided with anexternal boss 18 having an annular recess 18 and a central boss 80, theboss 18 and recess forming an armular shoulder 82. trally of the latterfor receiving a nipple 86. The light socket, of which only the threadedextension 88 is shown, is mounted on the nipple.

The internal support comprises .a pair of extended spaced apart supports90, the lower ends of which are adapted to be threaded into holesdrilled into the boss in the recessed portion. The opposite ends of thesupp0'rts"90' are suit-' ably secured to ,a spacer 92, as by pins .84.The spacer supports -a threadedbolt 98 and. a bushing 98, correspondingto bushing 58 and bolt 6|! and serving the samefunction.

The-supports 88 are located radially inward from the shoulder 82 inorder that the thickened and extended edge Hlll of the-globe,constituting a flange, may be placed upon the shoulder. The

surface of the depending portion of the edge I00, the dimensions ofwhich can be easily and accurately controlled, bears against the innerside wall of the shoulder 82 whereby the globe is accurately positionedwith respect to the shoulder.

In the modified embodiment of the present invention, illustrated inFigs. 7, 8 and 9, a somewhat diflerent form of globe support is shown.In this embodiment the invention .has. been adapted to a globe supportcomprising a ring encircling the globe. This ring is usually termed ameridian ring and is typical of one type of geographical globe.

A threaded aperture 84 is formed cen the supporting means is generallyindicated by the reference numeral I n globe by the referencenumeral'II2;

The supporting means of the embodiment now being described consists ofabuse II4 of suitable configuration upon which is mounted asubstantially -semicircularcradle I I8', preferably die cast in the'formshown. A convenient mounting is provided by a threaded bolt 8 castintegrally with the cradle. The cradle is'provided with spaced aparttransverse ridges I28 and radially extending. projections I22 for"rotatably supporting and guiding theglobejencircling meridian ring I24.

The meridian ring I24 is made of suitable material and preferably with asubstantially T- shaped cross section, so that it may ride upon theridges I28. Lateral displacement of "the ring is prevented by theprojections I22,and accidental removal of the-ring is prevented by ascrew bolt I28 mounted upon the lowermost projection I22. The bolt isadapted to be threaded into the plane of the horizontal portion of thering to prevent the lifting of the latter from the channel defined bythe projections, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 8.

In the present modification the globe H2 is supported by themeridianring in such manner that the globe moves as a unit with thering. The ring is provided with diametrically opposed pivots I28 and I38adapted rotatably to receive cooperating members constructed to form astructural unit with the globe, as will be described hereinafter.

The lower pivot I38 is preferably formed integrally with the meridianring and comprises a reduced extension of a cylindrical boss I32. Abearing shoulder I34 is provided at the juncture of the pivot and bossfor a purpose that will appear shortly.

The upper pivot pin I38 is removably supported by its upper threadedportion I38 in a hollow boss I38 formed integrally with the ring I24.The pivot may be moved radially in obvious manner by a screw driver orthe like in order that the globe may be separated from the ring.

The lower pivot I28 is adapted to receive a hollow sleeve I48 formingpart'of an'integral unit adapted to support the globe illuminating meansand adapted to be secured to theglobe to form a unitary structure withthe latter. The unit coinprises a cupshap'ed support I42 adapted to beinserted into the globe through an aperture I44 provided in the globe. II

- The support I42 is secured'inflxed relation to the globe-when'insertedtherein by reason ofthe fact that its outertdiameter issubstantially the same as the diameter" of the aperture, and-itschanneledrim "I48 is adapted to fit" about, the beadededge I48 of theaperture 1 r 7 The sleeve I48- extends through the support I42 and isthreaded at its'upper end as indicated at I58 to receivea'pos'itioni'ng'nut I52.'- The latter. is threaded on the sleeve -sothat when-the sleevefis. inserted through anaperture m the support; theend of-the sleeve abuts against the shoulder-I345" I i- The illuminating'ni'eans, in-fthis case anelongated light'bu1b'154; {ism'o'untedcentrally of the interior of the globe-by the support I42, Thebulb-'is"h'eld in a -socketflit to which is attached a U-shapedextension 158 having a threaded ap- 'ert'ure' adaptedto'be" screwed onthe upper end of the sleeve -'I48."-' 'Whenthe socket is threaded on thesleeve' the socket and nut'" I82 serve securely to fasten the sleeve andilluminating mu the support. Y

Energy for the bulb I84 is supplied through -conductors I88 extendinginto the interior of the globe through'a'rubber bushing I82 mounted inanaperture in the supp rt I42,

The supply of energy is controlled by a switch I83 also mounted upon thesupport I42 and operable by a push button I 84 of a length less than thedepth of the support. The described ar-' rangement of the switch and itsop'eratingmeans is thus concealed within the interior of the globe, thusadding greatly tothe appearance and permitting easy rotation of theglobe.

The upper pivot pin I28 is adapted to be screwed into a hollow bushingI88 loosely supported in a relatively all diameter aperture I88diametrically opposite aperture I44. The bushing is secured, as bypeening, to a time dial "8 having a diameter greater than the apertureso that the time dial may be rotated manually to any desired position. Aspacing washer "2 may be placed between the time dial and boss.

From the above description it is evident that, when the globe andsupporting means are properly assembled, the globe is rotatable aboutits polar axis upon the pivots I28 and I38 and at right angles to itspolar axis as a unit with the meridian ring. When the globe is'rotatedabout its polar axis, the conductors I68 are wrapped around the sleeveI48, which functions as a spool. Because of the relatively smalldiameter of the conductors it is possible to rotate the globe severalrotations before the space within the support I42 is completely filled.When the globe is rotated by means of the meridian ring, the cordstamping or spinning process and thereafter the sleeve, light fixture,switch and rubber bushing are mounted thereon; after which thecon'ductor is attached to the switch andfixture.

The complete unit is then attached to the globe simply by pressing thesupport I42 into the aperture I44. After this step the globe may bemounted upon the lower pivot I28 simply by placing the sleeve I48 overthe pivot and allowing the latter to slide over the pivot; Thereafter"the bushing I88 and time dial I18, which also form a unit, are insertedin the upper aperture I88 and the globe is tipped'slightly toalignlthebushing.

with the pivot pin I38. Finally the pin- I38 is screwed into thebushing.

From the above description ,of theniode of assembly, it should be,apparent thatthe meridian ring does not have tobe 'iin'fanyiparticularposition forthe assemblyand thatthe rotation of the'latter is innomanner restricted by the illuminating means or support therefor,

-" It may be seen, therefore, that the present invention providesaifsimple, easy "and inexpensive supporting means I for internallyilluminated globes, It is susceptible "of modmeaue s other than thosespecifically. described audit iscontemplated that the invention is notlimited ;to those described. 7 v 1 i I 1 What Ijclaim as new and desireto secure by Let-terslatentlofthe United States is: f 1. Aninternallyilluminated globeincludingdn combination, a base, a .vertical formedtherei on, a'globeprovided witnan aperture adapted to fit around saidboss and to be supported on said base, means including an internalsupport comprising a. pair of spaced apart members adapted to beinserted into said globe through said aperture for additionallysupporting said globe, a light bulb adapted to fit between said membersfor illuminating said globe, and a socket structure supporting saidlightbulb between said members in the interior of said globe and at tachingsaid support to said base.

2. An internally illuminated globe including, in combination, a base, anexternal boss forming an annular shoulder on said base, a globe providedwith an aperture adapted tov fit around said boss, whereby said globe isrotatably supported on said base and held against lateral displacement,means including an internal support having a portion extendingsubstantially the diametral length of the globe and adapted to beinserted into said globe through said aperture for additionallysupporting said globe, a light bulb for illuminating said globe, andmeans for supporting said bulb substantially centrallyof said globe.

3. An internally illuminated globe including, in combination, a base, anexternal boss forming an annular shoulder on said base, a globe providedwith an aperture adapted to fit around said boss, whereby said globe isrotatably supported on said base and held against lateral displacement,means including an internal support having a portion extendingsubstantially the diametral length of the globe and adapted to beinserted into said globe through said aperture for additionallysupporting said globe, a light bulb for illuminating said globe, andmeans adapted; to support said bulb substantially centrally of saidglobe for securing said support to said base.

4. An internally illuminated globe including, in combination, a base, anexternal boss forming an annular shoulder on said base, a globe providedwith diametrically opposed apertures, one of which is adapted to fitaround said boss whereby said globe is rotatably supported on said baseand held against lateral displacement, an internal support foradditionally supporting said globe, said support including a pair ofspaced apart members insertable into said globe through the firstmentioned aperture and a bushing supported by said spaced apart membersand insertable into said second aperture, a light bulb forilluminating-said globe, and means including a socket for supportingsaid bulb between said spaced apart members and for securing said-support to said base.

5. An internally illuminated globe including,

in combination, a base, an external boss forming an annular shoulder onsaid base, a globe provided with diametrically opposed apertures, one ofwhich is adapted to fit around said boss for rotatably supporting andholding said globe against lateral displacement, an opening locatedcentrally of said boss, a threaded nipple in said opening, an internalsupport for additionally suporting said globe, said support including apair of spaced apart members insertable into said globe through thefirst mentioned aperture, a bushing supported by said members andinsertable into said second aperture, a light bulb fitting between saidmembers for illuminating said globe, a socket for supporting said globe,and means for securing said support to said base, said,

means including portions of said members secured to each other andsurrounding the nipple threaded on said nipple to hold thememberstherebetween and the base.

6. An internally illuminated globe including, in combination, a base, anexternal boss forming an annular shoulder on said base, a globe providedwith diametrically opposed, apertures, one. of which is adapted to fitaround saidboss for rotatably supporting and holding said globe againstlateral displacement, an opening located centrally of said boss, athreaded nipple in said opening, an internal support for additionallysupporting said globe, said support including a pair of spaced apartmembers insertable into said globe through the first mentioned aperture,a bushing supported by said members and insertable into said secondaperture, :1. light bulb fitting between said members for illuminatingsaid globe, a socket for supporting said globe, means for securing saidsupport to saidbase, said means including portions of said memberssecured to each other and surrounding the nipple and an extension onsaid socket adapted to be threaded on said nipple to hold the memberstherebetween and the base, and conductors extending through said nipplefor supplying energy to said bulb.

7. A support for removably mounting an apertured globe ona baseincluding, in combination, a pair of relatively long substantiallycylindrical members insertable into said globe through the aperturehaving upper and lower ends bent substantially at right angles to theintermediate portions, a spacer said upper ends being'welded to saidspacer, said lower ends being provided with semicircular bends weldedtogether with the bends opposed to each other to form a substantiallycircular ring. I

8. A support for removably mounting an apertured globe on a baseincluding, in combination, a pair of identical supporting membersinsertable into said globe through said-aperture and having intermediateportions parallel to each other and the axis of the globe, upperportions bent substantially atright angles to said supports and securedtogether by a spacer and lower portions bent substantially, at rightangles toward each other in side by side relation, said lower, portionshaving centrally located semicircular bends lying in a planeperpendicular tothe axis welded together to form a substantiallycircular ring.

9. In apparatus of the type described, in combination, a base, a bossformed theron, a circular recess in said boss forming an annularshoulder with the latter, a globe provided with an aperture prising aninner wall extending substantially at right angles from said base, aglobe provided with diametrically opposed apertures, oneof which issurrounded by an integral fiange fitting snugly against said inner walltom of said recess, and means removably supporting said globe on saidbase including a pair of spaced apart members secured to said baseinsertable into and extending substantially the diametral length of saidglobe, and a member supported by said spaced apart members and adaptedto fit into the other oi'said apertures.

11. A geographical globe oi the type adapted to be supported uponopposed pivots, including in combination, a globe, "opposed apertures insaid but spaced from the botglobe, and unitary means supported in saidapertures and movable as a unit with said globe for supporting saidglobe upon said pivots.

12. A geographical globe of the type adapted to be supported upon apivot including in combination, a globe, an aperture in said globe, anda unitary support detachably secured in said aperture and movable as aunit with said globe for rotatably supporting said globe upon saidpivot.

13. A geographical globe of the type adapted to be supported uponopposed pivots mounted upon a meridian ring, including in combination, aglobe, opposed apertures in said globe, a pivot receiving member mountedin one of said apertures, and a pivot receiving member detachablymounted in the other of said apertures and movable as a unit with saidglobe.

14. An internally illuminated geographical globe of the type adapted tobe supported upon opposed pivots mounted upon a meridian ring,

including in combination, a globe provided with an aperture, and pivotreceiving means detachably mounted in said aperture, said meanscomprising a cup-shaped support detachably secured to said globe formovement as a unit therewith and illuminating means mounted upon said,support and forming a unitary structure with said support.

15. An internally illuminated geographical globe of the type adapted tobe supported for rotation upon opposed pivots mounted upon a meridianring, one of which is movable with respect to said ring, including incombination, a globe, opposed apertures in said globe,qmeans forsupporting said globe upon said movable pivot, said means including abushing fitting loosely in one of said apertures and supported thereinby a time dial, and means for supporting said globe upon the otherpivot, said means including a cup-shaped support adapted to be insertedinto the other of said apertures and having an outside diametersubstantially equal to the diameter of said aperture and a channeled rimadapted to abut, against the edge of the aperture, whereby said supportis made rotatable as a unit with the globe, a hollow sleeve mounted uponsaid support adapted rotatably to receive the pivot, a lighting fixturemounted upon and securing the sleeve to the support, and a switchmounted upon said support.

16. In apparatus of the type described, an apertured globe, means forsupporting said globe for rotation, said means including a cup-shapedsupport mounting a bearing member, illuminating means, and a switch withmanual operating means therefor, said member, illuminating means, switchand operating means being all located substantially in the interior ofsaid globe.

1'7. An internally illuminated globe, including in combination, a basehaving an annular shoulder defining portion, a globe provided with anaperture rotatably supported on said base and held against lateraldisplacementby said shoulder, means including an internal support havinga portion extending substantially the diametral length of the globe andadapted to be inserted into said globe through said aperture foradditionally supporting said'globe, a light bulb for illuminating saidglobe, and means for supporting said bulb substantially centrally ofsaid globe.

18. An internally illuminated geographical globe of the type adapted tobe supported upon opposed pivots mounted upon a meridian ring, includingin combination, a globe provided with an aperture, and pivot receivingmeans detachably mounted in said aperture, said means comprising acup-shaped support detachably secured to said globe, and illuminatingmeans mounted upon said support and forming a unitary structure withsaid support.

OLAF A. COLBE'RG.

